RED BUGS!!!!!

[bluetang]

Well, i got them on a couple small frags..
I understand you get Inteceptor at the vet. Any idea how much this stuff is?

[Aquattro]

lots. I think it cost me about $50 plus 3 large water changes and a box of carbon.

[StirCrazy]

here is a reply I got to a post on the red bugs, some interesting reading and info.

"In a nutshell, here is what I have found. These are true parasites of Acropora - and probably undescribed. They are Acropora-specific, and I have tried to get them to host on various Montipora, Porites, Pocillopora and Pavona. They die before they will move onto these corals, even when forced or placed onto the corals. They only parasitize Acroporids with enough coenosteum to move around (not the A. millepora type - I suspect they would get eaten). They sometimes can inhabit Acropora without causing much damage, or they can damage them to the point they die. They will die without a host in typically 3 days, though I have had some show signs of life (barely twitching, unable to swim) at five days. They swim well, and if you take a coral out of the tank, some hunker down tightly to the coral, others bail off and swim to another. They will not live in the tank without a host, though. They are direct developers, so no larval stage to worry about (females have a brood pouch, I got nearly 20 from 5 adults after two weeks). There are several other red bugs that aquarists have erroneously concluded were these parasties, commonly seen on the glass of tanks. They are not the same bug. A quick view through a scope will confirm that. I have seen at least three others, not one of which was even close. Also, the red color of some these is deceptive...they do not have the distinct red spot, but are sort of a uniformly ruddy brown.

Interceptor works very well, even at 5 x recommended dose (Dustin Dorton), and does not seem to affect corals at all, even after 24 hours at 5x dose. Thus, it is "coral safe' but is not "reef safe." It kills all crustaceans we have seen - other amphipods, crabs, shrimps, etc. It kills polychaetes. It kills at least some snails (small Trochids). If you treat the tank, be ready to say goodbye to all those things, and if the populations of those things are large, you could have a major nutrient issue when all the worms, etc. die (at the very least). I would recommend you treat the affected corals outside the tank, and then wait the three to five days before putting them back in the tank. Examine all colonies closely with a lens to be sure there are no stragglers. Some die while ensnared on the skeleton - a probe with a needle will determine if they are still alive or not. I have not seen the need to do three treatments as has been suggested - that was based on the assumption there was a larval phase, or eggs, which there aren''t. But, the Acro crabs are going to be an issue. These may perform a grooming role that could inhibit current and future infestations. You could try to get them out - maybe freshwater dip to get them to bail?? But, that might stress the corals a lot. I don't know what to say on that one.

As to what they are...I have sent samples to Ed Hendrycks and Sara LeCroy - both specialists of amphipods. With the samples to Sara, I sent a copy of the article describing Teastes acroporanus. Sara said they were amphipods, looks like Tegastes desribed but the fifth maxilliped is different. Thing is, Tegastes is a genus of copepods, not amphipods. She thought it was probably a new species. Ed confirmed it was an amphipod...also thought new species. Both pointed me towards JD Thomas at Nova Southeastern. So did Steve Cairns at the Smithosonian. So did Les Kaufman at Boston University where the late Arthur Humes worked (who described T acroporanus and did 99% of the world's work on parasitic copepods of corals). Thomas has been hard to reach, but I sent him another email yesterday.

If I cannot get someone to help me describe them, I will do it myself - or try at least.

I have also killed them with high dose Lugol's - very effective, but hard on the corals.Have done trials with five other drugs as dips - variably successful or stressful to the corals. Also, purchased several other drugs as systemic treatments, including a newer and mre potent version of ivermectin. Have not done any trials with them yet.

These bugs are a major pain. Best solution is very careful examination of any Acropora colonies prior to them going into your tank...especially tank-reared fragments. Hope this helps....let me know if you need more info, or have questions."

Steve

[Aquattro]

to add to the above, I have confirmed the presence of these bugs on A. millipora as well.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

to add to the above, I have confirmed the presence of these bugs on A. millipora as well.

really? I will pass that on to him.

Steve

[IslandReefer]

Great summery! Thanks Steve.
Yup, every Acro gets a prophylactic Interceptor dip, before going in the tank.
I think it is better to risk a new coral than all my crabs, snails,cowries, pods ........etc

[Gools]

how does one go about doing an Interceptor dip, What are the measurments, and period of time for leaving a coral in the dip?

[Aquattro]

for my new coral dip procedure, I've done a "pinch" in 4 gallons for 6 hours. This "pinch' is well in excess of the normal whole tank dosage, but works well. It never bothered a coral either.

[Gools]

reef raf,
Is there a special tank you have setup, or do you just use a bucket. Do you need lights over it and everything, or you just acclimate it with tank water and add your Intercepter?

[Aquattro]

Gools, I have a 5g tank that I throw a heater and powerhead in with tank water. Once they're done, they just go straight into the tank. I check under a scope first, but I'm a bit paranoid